Women, Children at risk: AIDWA opposes hospital shift, slams user charges in Shimla
Shimla, Apr 12,
Raising serious concerns over access to affordable healthcare, the All India Democratic Women’s Association has strongly opposed the proposed shifting of the Mother and Child State Hospital, warning that the move could adversely impact women and children who rely on its current location for timely treatment.
In a sharp statement, the organisation termed the relocation decision as “anti-people,” arguing that it would create avoidable logistical challenges for patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections who depend on proximity and low-cost public healthcare facilities.
AIDWA further criticised the imposition of user charges at Kamala Nehru Hospital, alleging that the move reflects a growing trend of transferring the financial burden of healthcare onto the public. It maintained that such charges are not only unaffordable for many families but could also discourage patients from seeking treatment at government hospitals.
The organisation cautioned that the combined effect of relocating the Mother and Child Hospital and introducing user fees could significantly weaken public healthcare access, particularly for women, children, and other vulnerable groups. It added that instead of strengthening existing infrastructure, these decisions risk pushing patients toward costlier private healthcare options.
AIDWA leaders Ranjana Jarrett and Falma Chauhan demanded an immediate rollback of the user charges and urged the government to retain the Mother and Child Hospital at its present location, stressing that public welfare must remain the priority in healthcare policy decisions.
Also read:AIDWA Terms Supreme Court Ruling on Tribal Women’s Property Rights a Setback to Gender Equality
Calling for urgent reconsideration, the association warned that any dilution of accessible public healthcare infrastructure would disproportionately affect those who can least afford alternatives.
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